Development of an intensity-modulated brachytherapy system using a variable multi-channel applicator

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K17160
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52040:Radiological sciences-related
• Research Institution: National Cancer Center Japan (2020-2023); Tohoku University (2019)
• Principal Investigator: Chiba Takahito 国立研究開発法人国立がん研究センター, 中央病院, 医学物理士 (20804868)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 小線源治療 / 婦人科腫瘍 / 可変型マルチチャネルアプリケータ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, a variable multichannel applicator was developed for use in a variety of cases, which can be adapted to the vaginal shape of each patient and adheres to the vagina, allowing the source to be placed at any position inside the vagina. The clinical functionality of the applicator was evaluated using a gynecological pelvic model developed at the same time and its usefulness was demonstrated. This enables a new approach to brachytherapy that is beneficial to both patient and operator. In the process of developing the applicator, a dose acumulation system was also developed to address a problem in gynecological brachytherapy, namely the dose evaluation method.

Free Research Field

放射線治療

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

この可変型かつ自由な線源配置を可能としたアプリケータを用いた強度変調小線源治療システムは、これまでにない全く新しい手法である。本システムを確立すれば、常にその時の患者状態に最適なアプリケータ形状と任意の線量分布作成が容易となり、従来の小線源治療法では不可能であった治療時の患者状態に応じて腫瘍制御と副作用低減の両方に最適なさらに複雑な線量分布で治療を行う「強度変調小線源治療」の容易な実現が可能となり、より高精度な小線源治療の治療戦略を大きく発展させることが期待できる。